Plastics

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Transcript of Plastics

Environmental Issues The Eighth Continent Types of Plastics The Product Effects of Littering Littering causes more damage than recycling can remedyPlastic waste thrown on beach, in ocean, etc brought together by currents to form the... Plastic C8H8 chainUsed in disposable coffee cups, plastic food boxes, plastic cutlery, packing foam, packing peanuts Commonly recycled, but difficult to do so --- often end up in landfillsRecycled PS is used to make insulation, license plate frames, rulers, and more. Polystyrene (PS) aka Styrofoam - 6 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) - 1 High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) - 2 CH2CHClUsed for all kinds of pipes and tiles; most commonly found in plumbing pipesNot often recycled, but recycled PVC used in flooring, mobile home skirting, etc.Pose health risks if incorporated into the human system and should not come in contact with any food items but is still used in some food and beverage containers in parts of world Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) - 3 Alice Shan andJenny Ma Other Types of Plastics 600 billion pounds of plastic made each yearChina, Japan, and California are the main contributors to the formation of the eighth continentEach type of plastic must be treated differently when recycled, but all the plastic is mixed together, AND is broken down into tiny fragments by the ocean - impossible to sortLeeches toxins into water, animals think plastic is food and eat itPlastics are also made using oil (petroleum) which is non renewable and contributes greatly to pollution C10H8O4Used in most everyday appliances: from water bottles to bean bag chairsCommonly recycled plastic - uses of recycled PET include insulation in winter clothes, carpet, Known to leak antimony (Sb) into what it contains, but at levels harmless to most organisms according to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Repeating chains of C2H4Used in containers for milk, motor oil, bleach, shampoos, personalized toys, etc.Commonly recycled plastic - recycled HDPE used in plastic crates, fencing, etc.Very safe - not known to leak any chemicals into foods or drinks anytime Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) - 4: Used in plastic cling wrap, sandwich bags, squeezable bottles, and plastic grocery bags, garbage cans, furniture, etc.Polypropylene (PP) - 5: Used in plastic diapers, Tupperware, prescription bottles, yogurt boxes, plastic bottle caps, etc.Miscellaneous - 7: baby bottles, large water bottles (multiple-gallon capacity), compact discs, and medical storage containers LDPE - C2H4 chain

PP - C3H6 chain

Type 7 - unknown Some plastics have been known to leech BPA (Bisphenol - A) into food and water, particularly type 7. Young children are especially susceptible. BPA ingestion can cause cancer and birth defects, yet 6 billion pounds are produced each year. CarcinogenicIncreases organ abnormalitiesDecreases efficiency of bodily functionsMay cause impotency in men Plastic Continent http://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/lib/different-types-of-plastic.htmhttp://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp-styrofoam.html http://www.container-recycling.org/index.php/factsstatistics/plastichttp://oceancrusaders.org/plastic-crusades/plastic-statistics/http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/dangers-of-plastichttp://www.nrdc.org/thisgreenlife/0902.asphttp://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/the-8th-continent-pacific-ocean-garbage-patch Health Dangers What YOU can do RECYCLEuse reusable water bottles, reusable bagsbuy products with less packaging Stryene is the basic building block of Styrofoam (6) and chronic exposure to it can result in kidney and heart problems. Chemicals that leak out of it and get ingested can impair repoduction. Formation of Styrofoam releases hydrocarbons into the air which reacts with NOs to form ozone, which damages lungs. Only 5.8% of plastic actually recycled in the US